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THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 

OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 

GIFT  OB 


William  P.   iVreden 


LITTLE-FOLK  SONGS 


BY 


ALEXINA   B.  WHITE 


NEW    YORK 
PUBLISHED   BY    HUKl)   AND   HOUGHTON 


TO  R.  M.  W.  AND  S.  W. 

'W'ET  golden,  dear  ones,  rises  each  fair  head 

-*■      To  manly  stature  in  full  height  completed. 
Blue  eyes  glance  bright  'neath  brows  where  candor  seated 
Holds  fearless  sway.     With  ever  quickening  tread, 
The  incessant  years  my  little  babes  have  led 
Far  from  me,  flinging  childhood's  toys  and  flowers 
Away,  while  speeding  with  the  absolute  hours 
To  lift  life's  iron  gage.     Hope  strives  with  dread 
To  see  you  stand  forth  men.     Backward  I  turn 
Adown  the  path  home-bound,  content  to  find 
Your  tiny  foot-prints,  tenderly  to  trace 
Remembrances, — haply  o'er  which  to  yearn 
In  the  still  house,  —  wherewith  these  leaves  are  lined ; 
Yours  all  the  sweetness  that  may  lend  them  grace. 
New  York,  July  i8,  1871. 


.-r 


3J137 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE 

Supper  and  Sleep i 

Baby  Fingers 3 

Mistress  Mouse S 

The  Bee's  Honey 7 

The  Cat's  Bath 9 

Whisky  Frisky ir 

Chicken  Chasing '3 

The  Greedy  Robin '5 

Tick,  Tock i6 

Money 17 

Grizzly,  Growley iS 

Fruits  in  Season 19 

Baby  Pigs -o 

Katy  did -2. 

The  Wrens -24 

The  Little  Moon -7 

The  Spider -9 

Buttons }o 

The  Frog's  Home ]i 

Harum  Scarum 53 


vi  Contents. 

PAGE 

Birdie's  Sugar 34 

Stannie's  Hiding 36 

My  Kitten 38 

Dickon's  Fishing 39 

Helter-skelter 4° 

The  Terrible  Drummer 42 

The  Top 44 

Here  is  a  Troll 46 

The  Cat  and  the  Fly 48 

Cherry  Pie 51 

Titmouse  and  Cuckoo  .        .       .      ' 52 

The  Toad  in  the  Road 55 

Rain,  Rain 5^ 

The  Hen  and  the  Doctors 60 

Pop  Corn 62 

The  Ant  and  the  Grasshopper 64 

Mamma's  Ship 67 

Dickon's  Boat 71 

Twit,  Twit 7Z 

The  Winds 75 

My  Boy  Stannie 77 

Violets 79 

Calling  the  Tides 81 

Little  Brown  Birds 83 

The  Wave's  Gift 85 

Feeding  the  Cow        ........  86 

Grandmamma's  Birthday 88 

Rumble  Grumble        . 89 

Fairy  Dell 93 


LITTLE     FOLK     SONGS. 


~^x^-^tjty<>~ 


SUPPER   AND    SLEEP. 

OIPPITY  sup,  sippity  sup, 

Bread  and  milk  in  a  china  cup, 
Bread  and  milk  from  a  silver  sjjoon, 
Made  of  a  piece  of  the  silver  moon  ! 
Sipjjity  suj),  sippity  suj). 

Dij^jjity  dash,  dij)ijity  dash, 
Wash   his   face  with   a  merry  splash  ! 
Polish   it  well   with   a   towel   fine, — 
O   how  his  eyes  and    hi-^  cheeks   will   shine  ! 
Dippity  dash,  dii)pity  dash. 


Supper  cmd  Sleep, 

Rippity  rip,  rippity  rip, 
Untie  his  strings  with  a  pull  and  a  slip, 
Down  go  his  petticoats  on  the  ground! 
And  away  he  dances  'round  and  'round! 
Rippity  rip,  rippity  rip. 


Trittery  trot,  trittery  trot, 

Off  he  goes  to  his  pretty  cot, 

Where  he  falls  asleep  with  a  little  song,— 

Where  the  ano-els  watch  over  him  all  night 


long ! 


Trittery  trot,  trittery  trot. 


BABY    FINGERS, 

^  I  "EN  fat  little  fingers,  so  taper  and  neat! 

Ten  fat  little  fingers,  so  rosy  and  sweet! 
Eagerly  reaching  for  all  that  comes  near, 
Now   poking   your  eyes  out,    now    pulling   your 

hair. 
Smoothing  and  patting  with  velvet-like  touch. 
Then   digging    your   cheeks  with  a  mischievous 

clutch  ; 
Gently  waving  good-by  with  infantine  grace, 
Then    dragging    your   bonnet    down    over    your 

face. 
Beating  pat-a-cake,  pat-a-cakc,  slow  and  sedate. 
Then  tearing  your  book  at  a  furious  rate  ; 
Gravely    holding    them    out,   like    a    king,  to    be 

kissed, 
Then   thumi)ing  the  window  with   tightly  closed 

fist; 
Now  lying  asleep,  all   dim|)k'd  and   warm,   • 
On  the  white  cradle   pillow,  secure  from  all  harm. 


4  Baby  Fingers. 

O,  dear  baby  hands !  how  much  love  you  infold 
In  the  weak,  careless  clasp  of  those  fingers'  soft 

hold! 
Keep  spotless,  as  now,  through  the  world's  evil 

ways, 
And  bless  with  fond  care  our  last  weariful  days. 


MISTRESS    MOUSE. 


M 


ISTRESS  Mouse 
Built  a  house 
111  niauinia's  bust  bonnet ; 
All   the  cats 
Were  catching  rats, 
And  didn't  light  u})on  it. 


Mistress  Mo^tse. 

At  last  they  found  it, 

And  around  it 
Sat  watching  for  the  sinner; 

When,  strange  to  say, 

She  got  away, 
And  so  they  lost  their  dinner. 


THE    BEE'S    HONEY. 


B 


EE,  bee, 
Come  hither  to  me. 
And  show  me  your  bag  of  honey; 
Bee,  bee, 

Fly  over  the  sea. 
And  sell  it  for  golden  money. 
Fly  out  of  the  country 

F"ar  into  the  town, 
And  buy   my   new  dolly 
A  fine  silken  gown, 
And  a  hat  and   feathers   so   bonny. 


Bee,   bee, 

Come  hither  to  me. 
And  show  me  your   bag  of  honey 

Bee,  bee, 

Fly  over  the  sea, 
And   sell   it  for  golden  money. 


8  The  Bees  Honey. 

Fly  over  the  steeple, 

And  into  the  street, 
And  buy  some  sugar-plums 

Pretty  and  sweet, 
And  hie  with  them  home  to  Johnny. 


THE   CAT'S    BATH. 

A  S  pussy  sat  washing  her  face  by  the  gate, 
'^^^   A    nice    httle    dog    came    to   have   a   good 

chat, 
And,  after  some  talk  about  matters  of  state, 

Said,  with  a  low   bow,    "  My  dear  Mrs.  Cat, 
I  really  do  hope   you'll  not  think   I  am  rude  ; 
I    am    curious,    I    know,    and    that   you    may 
say,  — 
Perhaps   you'll    be  angry,  —  but   no,    you're    too 
good  ;  — 
Pray    why    do    you     wash    in    that   very    odd 
way  ? 
Now   I,  every  day,  rush  away  to  the  lake, 

And   in  the   clear  water  I    dive  and   I    swim  ; 
I  dry  my  wet  fur  with  a  run  and  a  shake. 

And  am  fresh  as  a  rose,  and  neat  as  a  pin. 
But  you  any  day  in  the  sun   may  be  seen 
Just    rubbing    yourself    with    your   little    red 
tongue,  — 


lo  The  Cat's  Bath. 

I  admire  the  grace  with  which  it    is  done, — 
But  really,  now,  are    you  sure    you  get  your- 
self clean  ? " 
The   cat  who   sat   swelling  with    rage    and   sur- 
prise. 
At  this,  could  no  longer  her  fury  contain ; 
For    she    had    always    supposed    herself    rather 
precise, 
And    of  her   sleek   neatness  had  been   some- 
what vain. 
So    she   flew  at    poor    doggie    and    boxed    both 
his  ears, 
Scratched   his    nose   and   his    eyes,    and   spit 
in  his  face. 
And   sent   him    off  yelping:    from  which    it  ap- 
pears 
Those  who   ask   prying  questions   may   meet 
with  disgrace. 


WHISKY,  FRISKY. 

l^-^Z-HISKY,  frisky, 
^  *      Hippity  hop  ! 
Up  he  goes 

To  the  tree  top! 
Whirly,  twirly, 

Round  and  round, 
Down  he  comes 

To  the  ground. 
Furly,  curly. 

What  a  tail! 
Tall  as  a  feather. 

Broad  as  a  sail ! 
Where's  his  supper? 

In  the  shell ; 


12  Whisky^  Frisky. 


Snappy,  cracky ! 

Out  it  fell ! 
Stir  the  fire, 

Put  on  the  pot, 
Here  's  his  supper 

Hissing  hot! 


CHICKEN  CHASING. 

'  I  ^HE  old    hen   was    clucking    and    scratching 

-*-  the  ground, 

While  her  downy  young  chickens  ran   chirping 

around, 
When  she  bristled  and  squawked  with  an  angry 
sound. 

For  she  saw  a  boy  coming  that  way,  — 

A  very  small  boy  in  an  apron  white. 
Running:  after  the  chickens  with  all  his  mi<iht: 
What  hen  could  endure  to  see  such  a  sight 
And  not  have  a  word  to  say  ? 

Away    went    the    chicks,  and    the    young    varlet 

too, 
And  after  them   fast  the  frightened   hen   flew, 
Pecking  his  fat  legs  all   black  and  blue 

With   her  sharp  and   angry  beak. 


1 4  Chicken  Chasing. 

He  stopped,  for  his  heart  began  to  swell, 
And  he  trotted  off  to  his  nurse  to  tell, — 
"  TJie  big-  bird  did  peck  me ! "  he  said,  as  well 
As  his  sobs  would  let  him  speak. 

"  Poor   boy ! "   said    his    nurse.    "  But   you    must 

not  run 
After  the  chicks,  —  they  don't  know  it  is  fun  ; 
And  the    old    hen   thought   you    meant   to  take 

one 

Where  she  never  would  see  it  ao:ain." 

The    young   mischief  thought   he    never   would 

try 
To  catch  little  chicks  when  the  old  hen  was  by. 
Then    nurse   dried  his  blue   eyes    and   he    tried 

not  to  cry. 

And  soon  forgot  fright  and  pain. 


THE   GREEDY   ROBIN. 

13  OBIN  he, 
-*-^  On  a  tree, 
Saw  ripe  cherries  —  one,  two,  three. 


"  Tweet,  tweet,"  said  he, 
"  Those'  for  me. 
Are  just  the  very  things,  you  see!" 

Now  he  knew, 
As  he  flew, 
That  his  wife  would  Hke  some  too. 

But,  I've  heard. 
The  greedy  bird 
Never  said  to  her  a  word. 

Devoured  them  quite. 
Nor  left  a  mite. 
And  went  home  very  late  at  night! 


TICK,  TOCK. 


T^ICK,  Tock! 

What  says  the  clock? 

One,  two, 
There  's  work  to  do. 

Three,  four, 
Increase  your  store. 

Five,  six. 
Play  Time  no  tricks. 

Seven,  eight. 
Nor  want,  nor  wait. 

Nine,  ten, 
For  sinful  men, 

Eleven,  twelve, 
Must  dior  and  delve. 


MONEY. 


A/TOXEY  is  silver,  money  is  gold, 

^^^    What  shall  I  do  when  my  money  is  told  ? 

Money  is  copper,  money  is  tin, 

Open  my  pocket  and  put  it  all   in. 

Money  is  paj^er,  dirty  and   torn, 

What  shall    I  do  when  my  money  is  gone? 

How  shall   I  eat,  without  any  bread  ? 

How  shall   I  sleep,  without  any  bed  ? 

What  shall    I   wear,  without  any  clothes  ? 

Where  find  any  shoes  for  my  i)oor  little  toes? 

If  1   had  a  penny,   I   know  what   I'd   tlo, 

I'd  set  up  a  shop  and  be   rich   as  a  Jew  ! 


GRIZZLY   GROWLEY. 

/'"^  RIZZLY  Growley  has  come  to  the  fair, 
^^   To   show  off   his   tricks,  and    make  us   all 

stare. 
He'll  walk  about  at  the  end  of  his  chain. 
He'll  shoulder  a  musket,  and  flourish  a  cane. 
He  will  ride  the  monkeys  around  the  ring, 
Dance  an  Irish  jig,  and  the  Highland  Fling. 
He'll  climb  up  a  pole  and  grin  at  the  folk, 
And  growl  when  the  little  boys  give  him  a  poke. 
He'll  turn  over  and  over,  and  stand  on  his  head. 
And  go  begging  for  apples  and  gingerbread. 
He  looks  good-natured  and  stupid  enough, — 
But  he'd  squeeze  you  as  flat  as  a  pinch  of  snuff. 
So  keep  out  of  the  way  of  his  long  sharp  claws, 
Or  he'll  catch  you  up  in  his  strong  broad  paws ; 
And  give  the  poor  clumsy  old  beast  a  penny 
To  buy  him  a  cake,  if  the  baker  has  any. 


FRUITS  IN  SEASON. 

r^  OOSEBERRIES  and  strawberries 

First  are  in  season  ; 
]\Iulberries  and  raspberries 

Follow  in  reason. 
Currants   and    cherries 

Come  next  in  place  ; 
Blueberries  and  blackberries 

Keep  up   the  race. 
Peaches  and    plums 

To  these  now  succeed ; 
Melons  and  pears, 

Delicious  indeed. 
Grapes  of    all  kinds, 

In  ripe  clusters  appear; 
And  apples  and  cranberries 

Last  the  rest  of  the  vear. 


BABY  PIGS, 


/'"^OME  here,  you  grigs, 
^^   Here  's  a  show ! 
Five  baby  pigs 

All  in  a  row! 
They  came  last  night, 
Brown,  pink,  and  white, 
With  tails  curled  tight, 
And  eyes  so  bright. 
It  is  a  treat 
To  see  them  eat, 
And  hear  them  squeak, 
A-week !    A-week ! 


Baby  Pigs.  21 

And  O !  what  fun 
To  see  them  run ! 
And  then  stop  short, 
With  grunt  and  snort, 
Pokins:  about 

O 

With  curious  snout. 
No,  Master  Dick, 
Put  down  that  stick  ! 
You  must  not  dig 
A  baby  pig 
Under  the  rib, 
To  make  him  squeal. 
How  would  you  feel 
Should  I  do  so 
To  you,  you  know } 
You  must  be  kind, 
Or  else  you'll  find 
You  won't  come  here 
Again,  my  dear! 


KATY   DID. 

T^ATY  did,  Katy  did! 

-^  *^  Pray  what  did  Katy  do, 
That  all  her  sisters  should  cry  out, 
And  scold  and  chatter  it  about? 

Katy  did  what  was  forbid : 
Katy  did,   Katy  did. 

Katy  did,  Katy  did ! 
Maybe  you  do  it  too  ; 
Ah !  then  you'd  take  the  other  side, 
And  make  excuse,  or  try  to  hide 
That  Katy  did  what  was  forbid  : 
Katy  did,   Katy  did. 

Katy  did,  Katy  did  ! 

Do  you  really  think  it  true? 
And  are  you  sure  you  are  not  glad  ? 
You  do  not  seem  so  very  sad 
That  Katy  did  what  was  forbid : 
Katy  did,  Katy  did. 


Katy  did.  23 

Katy  did,  Katy  did  ! 

O,  do  say  something  new ! 
If  of  your  clamor  we  were  rid, 
We  wouldn't  care  luhat  Katy  did  ! 
If  she  did  what  was  forbid : 
Katy  did,  Katy  did. 


IV  ^•:> 


,_f'±:J  'J>'^':)\/' 


^"^~^t$il 


THE   WRENS. 

'T^WO  little  wrens  have  built  their  nest 

■^        In  the  old  tree  by  the  door, 
And  there  they've  hatched  a  thriving  brood, 
And  on  them  set  great  store. 


The  noisy,  busy,  saucy  things 
Are  scolding  all  the  day. 


25 


The   Wrens. 

And  every  one  that  passes  by, 
They  try  to  drive  away. 

When  the  red-cheeked  baker-boy  comes  in, 
With  his  basket  full  of  bread, 

They  rave  as  if  they'd  like  to  peck 
The  eyes  out  of  his  head. 

Ah,  here  he  comes,  and  they  begin  : 
"  Go  'way,  you  hateful  boy  ; 
You  know  you've  come  to  steal  our  nest; 
Our  children  you'll  destroy. 

"  We  do  not  like  your  looks  at  all  ; 
Your  face  is  much  too  fat ; 
You've  got  a  ragged  jacket  on, 
And  a  dirty,  torn  old  hat." 

The  baker-boy  looks  up  and  laughs, 
For  kind  he  is,   and  good  : 
"  I  would  not  hurt  your  nest,"  he  says, 
"  Or  any  of  your  brood." 

And  whistling,   off  he  goes.      The   wrens 
Bluster  with   pride  and  glee  ; 
"  Chip,  chip,"  they  chatter,  *'  we're  the  birds  ; 
He  's  afraid  of  ns,  you  sec." 


26  The  Wrejis. 

Then  round  they  whisk,  and  back  again, 
To  feed  their  nesthngs  small, 

And  teach  them  that  of  bravest  birds 
The  wren  exceeds  them  all. 


THE    LITTLE   MOON. 


'T^HE  little  Moon 

-*■     Came  out  too  soon, 
And  in  her  fright 
Looked  thin  and  white. 


:^jr. 


<^-^r 


"^^^ 


The  Stars  then  shone, 
And  every  one 


28 


The  Little  Moo?t. 


Twinkled  and  winked, 
And  laughed  and  blinked. 


The  great  Sim  now  rolled  fordi  in  might 
And  drove  them  all  quite  out  of  sight. 


THE   SPIDER. 

OPIDER,  O  spider,  pray  why  do  you  spin 
*^   Your  pretty  white  net  so  fine  and  so  tliin  ? 

To  catch  fat  flies, 

And  make  into  pies. 
For  they're  much  too  silly  to  use  their  eyes. 

But  spider,  O  spider,  pray  do  you  not  see 
Here  comes  a  big,  buzzing,  blundering  bee  ? 
He'll  spoil  your  fine  net, 
While  you  fume  and  you  fret ; 
But  no    mercy  you  grant,  and    no  mercy   you'll 
get. 


BUTTONS. 

T  T  ERE  is  a  rogue,  and  his  eyes  are  blue! 
■'■  -*■    He  is  tired  of  play,  and  has  nothing  to  do. 
Would  he  like  some  vagabond  buttons  to  string  ? 
Ah,  yes !     I  see  that 's  the  very  thing. 
I'll  thread  him  a  needle, 

And  make  a  big  knot, 

Because  he  is  such  a  tiny  tot. 

One,  two,  three,  four. 

White  and  black,  half  a  score ; 

Some  of  pearl,  some  of  bone. 

Two  are  alike,  and  one  alone. 

Some  of  china,  some  of  steel, 

Down  the  thread  they  slip  and  reel ; 
Some  have  eyes,  and  some  have   not, 
But   when   they're  all   strung   they'll  be  a  great 
lot. 


THE  FROG'S    HOME. 

A /TAMMA,  may  we  go  to  the   pretty   spring 

Down  under  the  willow-tree, 
Where  that  dear  little  frog  sits  on  the  big  stone? 
I  don't  think  he  likes  living  there  all  alone, — 
May  I  bring  him  home  with  mc  ?  " 


"  O  yes,  my  darling,  if  froggie  will  come ; 
You  may  tro  ask  him  and  see  : 


32  The  Frogs  Home. 

But  he  has  a  cool  house  beneath  the  old  log, 
And  he  sits  on  the  stone  and  watches  for  prog, 
And  very  contented  is  he." 

Litde  Dick   trotted   off   with   his    nurse    to    the 
spring  : 
"  Hullo,   Mister  Frog,"  says  he, 
"  My    mamma,    she    said     I     might    carry    you 

home ; 
I'm    a    very    good    boy,  and    I    7naunt   you    to 
come,  — 
To  come  home  and  live  with  me." 

The  frog  was  asleep  on  the  soft  damp   moss, 

Under  the  roots  of  the  tree; 
Little  Dick  stooped  to  get   him,  when  up  with 

a  jump. 
And  a    yaup,    in    the    midst  of    the    spring    he 
went  plump. 
And  that  was  the  last  of  froggie! 


HARUM    SCARUM. 

IT  ARUM  Scarum,  Winkum  Warum, 

A  terrible  fellow  is   Harum  Scarum ! 
Up  the  stairs    and  in  at  the  door, 
Scattering  things  all  over  the  floor. 
Through  the  window  and  out  on  the  leads, 
Shaking  the  house  about  our  heads. 
Down  the  chimney  in  clouds  of  smoke, 
To  put  out  the  fire  he  thinks  a   fine   joke. 
While  the  house  dame  coughs,  and  chokes, 

and  scolds, 
And  sneezes  her  spectacles  into  the  coals. 

3 


BIRDIE'S  SUGAR. 

T^EAR  me!   I  think  it  very  queer 
^-''^     Where  birdie's  sugar  goes. 
Some  naughty  little  mouse,  I  fear, 
Climbs  up  and  steals  it  in  the  night 
From  under  birdie's  nose. 

Now  if  poor  birdie  could  but  speak 

He'd  tell  us  in  a  trice. 
But  he  can  only  say  peek,  peek. 
Finding  all  his  sweet  sugar  gone 

Because  of  thievish  mice. 

To  give  Miss  Mouse  a  little  bite 

Birdie  would  not  refuse ; 
But  surely  it  is  not  polite  — 
By  nibbling  the  whole  lump  away  — 
His  kindness  to  abuse. 

I  must  send  out  and  buy  a  trap 
And  catch  the  long-tailed  elf; 


Birdies  Sugar.  35 

What  's  this  ?     A  head  laid  in  my  lap  ? 
And  then  a  whisper  soft  and  low, — 
"  I  took  it  my  own  self." 

Well,  well,  you  won't  do  so  again, 

I'm  glad  my  darling  told. 
Although  it  put  you  to  some  pain, 
Whenever  you  have  done  amiss 

To  tell  the  truth  be  bold. 

Now  here  's  a  lump  of  sugar :   do 
You  know  where  it  belomis  ? 
In  birdie's  cage  ?     That  's  right,  and  you 
Shall  put  it  in,  he'll  thank  you   with 
One  of  his  sweetest  songs. 


STANNIE'S  HIDING. 

A1[7'HERE   is  Stannie,  where  can  he   be? 
Where  is  he  hiding  away   from  me  ? 
I've  looked   in   the  closet,  and  out  on   the  stair, 
Under  the   table,   behind   the  big  chair, 
Inside   the   big   clock  that  stands   in   the  hall, 
In  every   corner   where   a  midget  could   crawl. 
In  the   mouse-trap,  and   through  my  work-box. 
What  can   have   become  of  the  sly  little  fox.? 
Where   is   that  scallawag,  where  has   he  gone. 
Leaving  his  poor  mamma  all   forlorn  ? 


Where  is  Stannie,  where  can   he  be  ? 
Where  is  he   hiding  away  from   me  ? 


Stannies  Hiding.  t^j 

O,    I   know !  he  is  in   the  canary-bird's  cage, 
Or,  if  he  "s   not   there,  why   then   I'll  engage 
He  's  crept  up  the  chimney,  and  sits  on   the  top, 
Crowing  and  swelling    like   any  game-cock. 
Or  slipped  down   to   the   kitchen,   and  bothered 

the   cook. 
Till   she  's    hung  him   up    out  of  the    way  on  a 

hook. 
Where  is  that  scallawag,   where  has  he  gone. 
Leaving  his  poor  mamma   all  forlorn  } 

Where  is  Stannic,  where  can  he   be  ? 
Where  is  he   hiding  away  from  me  ^ 
I  must  send  out  the  crier  all  over  the  town. 
O,  here  he  is,  tucked  under  grandmamma's  gown  ! 
Now  I've  got  him,  tlic  rogue,   I  must   give  him 

a  shake. 
Twenty  good  kisses,  and  a  piece  of   plum-cake. 
I  must  find  a  strong  cobweb,  and  set  him  therein. 
He  can  coax  the  old  sj^idcr  to  teach   him  to  spin. 
And  there    he    shall    stay  till    cock-crow    in    the 

morn, 
For  leaving  his  poor  mamma  all   forlorn. 


MY    KITTEN. 

1\ /r  Y  kitten  is  white,  with  a  pretty  pink  nose, 
^^^     She  sits  by  the  fire,  and  counts  her  toes,  — 
Counts  her  toes,  and  her  claws  so  fine  ; 
Puss,  puss,  here  's  a  mouse,  with  a  long  tail  of 

twine. 
It  is  soft  and  gray,  tied  up  very  tight,  — 
You  may  tear  it  and  bite  it  with  all  your  might. 

Hey,  kitty !    ho,  kitty !   come  and  play ! 

And  don't  sit  counting  your  toes  all  day. 


DICKON'S    FISHING. 

"FAICKON  went  to  the  brook,  with  a  pin  for 
-*-^        a  hook, 

To  catch  a  fried  whale  for  his  suppier  ; 
When  some    slippery  eels,  they  tripped    u])    his 
heels,  — 
In  he  fell  with  great  splashing  and  splutter. 

The  wheelbarrow  ran  with  rattle  and  bang, 
And  the  shovel   and  rake  followed  after; 

An  old  fat  frog  living  under  a  log, 
Sat  holding  his  sides  with  laughter. 

A  big  black  toad  hopped   into  the  road, 
And  bawled  like  a  chimney-sweeper; 

And   the  hen   ran  out,  and  around,  and  about, 
Crying,  "  Eggs  will  be  sold  no  cheaper!" 


HELTER-SKELTER. 

TJELTER-SKELTER  over  the  grass, 
^  ^     While  the  butter-cups  bend  to  let  them 

pass, 
The  grasshoppers,  all  the  livelong  day, 
At  hide-and-go-seek,  and  leap-frog,  play. 
Up  hops  limber-legs  after  his  brother, 
Over  the  heads  of  one  another 
Away  they  spring,  and   each  one   goes 
Skipping  about  on  the  tips  of  his  toes. 
Here  with  a  jump,  and  there  with  a  fling. 
Keeping    time  to    the  song   that   the  crickets 


sing. 


Creek,  creek,  creekity   cree, 
Helter-skelter,  nimblety  knee. 
Our  long-legged  cousins 

Leap  so  high. 
They'll  catch  in  the  clouds 
That  go  sailing  by! 


Helter-skelter.  4 1 

Helter-skelter,  nimblety  knee, 
Creek,  creek,  creekity  cree. 

Creek,  creek,    creekity  cree. 
Helter-skelter,  nimblety  knee. 
Here  is  the  fiddler, 
Where  is  his  fee?. 
Hunt  in  the  clover. 

And  bring  what  you  see. 
Helter-skelter,  nimblety  knee. 
Creek,  creek,  creekity  cree. 

Creek,  creek,  creekity  cree, 
Helter-skelter,  nimblety  knee. 
Never  give  up  the  game. 

It  is  such  jolly  fun 
To  go  frisking  about 

In  the  heat  of  the  sun  ! 
Helter-skelter,  nimblety  knee. 
Creek,  creek,  creekity   cree. 


THE  TERRIBLE  DRUMMER. 

73  UB  a  dub  dub!    Rub  a  dub  dub  ! 

To  drum  is    my  delight; 
Rub  a  dub  dub,    Rub  a  dub  dub. 

I  am  at  it  from  morning  till  night! 
I    drum    on    the  windows, 

I  drum  on  the  doors, 
On  the  chairs   and   the  tables. 

The  stairs  and   the  floors. 
With  hair-combs   and  brushes, 

Glove-stretchers   and  fans. 
In  the  garret,   on   trunks, 

In  the  kitchen  on   pans, 
Till  the  folk  stop  their  ears. 

And  growing  quite   wild. 
Say  with  sniffing  and  sneers 

I'm  a  terrible  child ! 
Wait  till   I'm  a  man. 

And  wear  a  tall  hat ! 


The  Terrible  Dricimner.      43 

I'll   buy  a  big  drum 

And  thump   upon   that! 
I'll   build  me  a   house, 

Where   I'll   live  at  my  ease, 
And   I'll  drum    in   the  parlor, 

Or  just  where  I  please! 


THE  TOP. 

A  S   Dicks   top  was  spinning 
-^"^    Around  on    the   floor, 
It   bounced  over  the  table 
And  out  at  the  door. 

Danced  out   at    the  door, 

And  into  the  hall, 
And  made  a  great  hole  in 

His    2:randmamma's  wall. 

Away    then    it   dashed, 
Jumped  over  the    stairs. 

And  fell    in  a  platter 
Of  apples   and   pears. 


Where  it  lay  very  quiet 
Till,  rosy  and   fair, 

Dickon,  sat  up  to  dessert 
In  his  little    high  chair. 


Tlie  Top.  45 

When  his  grandmamma  gave  him, 

With  a  very  grave  air, 
His  top  from  the  fruit-dish 

For  an  excellent  pear. 

But  Dickon,  the  rogue, 

Like  a  cunning  young   snipe, 

Said,  "  I  think,  my  dear  grandma, 
This  pear  is  not  wipe. 

"  Please  give  me  another, 
I'll  put  this  away 
Very   safe    in   my  pocset, 
For   some    other   day." 


HERE    IS  A    TROLL. 

T  T  ERE  is  a  troll!    here  is  a  troll! 

With   blue   eyes   that  twinkle   and  wink  ; 
He  has  pulled  off  his  shoes,  and  in  the  wash-bowl 
Is  blowing  them  round,  while  they  topple  and  roll, 
And  soon  to  the  bottom  will  sink. 


What  shall  be  done  with  this  rogue  of  a  troll? 

In  mischief  from   morning  till  night, 
Paddling  in  water  like  any  tadpole. 
Poking  the  fire,  and  playing  with  coal, 

Till  his  apron  and  hands  are  a  sight! 


Here  is  a   Troll.  47 

We  must  catch  him  and  shake  him,  this  tricksy 
troll, 

And  send  him  off  straight  to  the  wood, 
Where,  under  the  hill,  the  trolls  live  in  a  hole. 
Where  he'll  have  to  go  digging  about  like  a  mole, 

Unless  he  will  try  to  be  good. 


But  he  laughs  in  my  face,  this  scamp  of  a  troll. 

And  thinks  that  will  never  be  done ; 
And   I  strongly  suspect  he  is  right  on  the  whole, 
That  he  's  really  and  truly  a  dear  little  soul, 
Only  too  fond  of  mischief  and  fun. 


THE  CAT  AND  THE  FLY. 

A     LITTLE  fly  sat 

On  the  edge  of  a  cup 
Of  milk,  the  gray  cat 
Was  about  to  drink  up. 

At  the  cat's  great  green  eyes, 
Fierce  whiskers  and  ears, 

The  fly  looked  with  surprise, 
Though  without  any  fears. 

Said  she,  "  Mrs.  Puss, 

Pray,  why  do  you  make 
Such  a  very  great  fuss, 

As  your  breakfast  you  take }  " 

For  pussy's  soft  purr 
To  the  fly,  seemed  a  sound 

As  loud  as  the  whirr 
When  the  mill-wheel  goes  round. 


The  Cat  and  the  Fly,        49 

Said  the  cat,  "  My  friend  Fly, 

For  one  of  your  size 
You  make  more  noise  than  I, 

And  are  not  very  wise. 

"  All  the  hot  summer  day,  — 

Because  through  you  can't  pass 
You  keep  buzzing  away 
At  the  clear  window  glass. 

"And  if  in  a  doze 

My  old  master  should  fall. 
You  bizz  buzz  at  his  nose 
Till  he  can't  sleep  at  all. 

^^  My  purring,  you  know. 
Is  a  sign  of  delight, 
While  your  buzzing  's  a  show 
Of  anger  and  spite." 

"  Dear  me  ! "  said  the  Fly, 
"  Mrs.   Puss,   I  think  you 
(I  cannot  tell  why,) 

Scarcely  say  what  is  true. 

*•  To  Gfo  buzzincr  about 
I'm  sure  is  no  sin, 
4 


so         The  Cat  and  the  Fly, 

If   1  want  to  go  out 

And  don't  like  to  stay  in ! 

•'  When  to  go  out  you  wish, 
You  scratch  at  the  doors, 
And  meaul  after  fish 

Like  an  owl  on  all  fours ! " 

Mrs.  Pussy  jumped  up, 
At  the  fly  made  a  stroke, 

And  knocked  down  the  cup,  — 
All  to  pieces  it  broke ! 

The  fly,  saved  from  her  paws, 

Said,  "  What  mischief  rage  brings, 

And  though   cats  have  sharp  claws 
You  see  flies  have  fleet  wings !  " 

Just  then  came  the  maid,  — 

Away  the  fly  flew ; 
Mrs.  Puss  was  afraid, 

And  scampered  off  too! 


CHERRY    PIE. 


/^MERRIES  are  ripe!     Cherries  are  ripe!" 

I  heard  a  little  bird  cry. 
Cherries  are  ripe !  cherries  are  ripe  ! 

Now  we  can  have  cherry-pie ! 
Flour  and  water,  sweet  butter   and  lard, 
Mix  in  a  paste,  and  roll   it  out  hard. 
Roll  it  out  hard,  and   roll  it  out  thin  ; 
Lay  the  red  cherries  and  sugar  within. 
Open   the    oven, 

Put   it   in   cjuick  ! 
And  when   it  is  baked 

Give  a  bic;  piece  to  Dick, 
Because  he  has  been  a  i;or)d  boy. 


TITMOUSE  AND  CUCKOO. 

A     GREAT   Cuckoo 
Saucily  flew 
Into  the  new 
And  beautiful  house 
Of  a  tiny  Titmouse. 

"  O  dear !  "  said  she, 
"  Do  you  not  see 

This  house  for  three 

Is  much  too  small  ? 

And  you're  so  tall !  " 

"  O,  but  for  you 

And  me,  'twill  do," 

Said  the  Cuckoo. 
"  'Tis  far  too    nice 

For  mere  Titmice." 

Now  Titmouse  came, 
As  fierce  as  flame, 


Titmottse  and  Ctcckoo.         53 

To  help  his  dame. 
Said  he,  "  You    lout, 
You'd  best  clear  out." 


But  the  Cuckoo 
Answered,   "Pooh,  pooh! 
A  fig  for  you  ! 
You  talk  too  loud,  — 
You'll  brins:  a  crowd. 

"  Your  pretty  dame 
Will  bear  the  blame. 
I'll  say  I  came 
At  her  request 
Into  your  nest. 

"  She  sang  so  sweet, 
She  looked  so  neat, 
She  did  entreat  — 
Then  all  will  cry, 

'O  fie!  O  fie!'" 

Dame  Titmouse  heard  : 
"  O,  wicked    bird," 
She  cried,  "  your  word 
Meets  no   belief; 
You   are  a  thief!  " 


54         Titmouse  a7td  Cuckoo* 

But  Mr.  T. 

Felt  how  'twould  be ; 

Unwillingly 

Said,  "  We  had  best 

Give  up  the  nest." 

Away  they  flew, 
While  the  Cuckoo 
Cried,  "  Cuckoo,  cuckoo !  " 
The  wood  around 
Rang  with  the  sound. 

But  as  he  sat, 
Jolly  and  fat, 
A  great  Tom-cat 
Him  careless,  saw, 
And  with  swift  paw 

And  crushing  bite, 
Destroyed  him  quite. 
And  serve  him  right ! 
So  poor  Titmouse 
Got  back  his   house. 


THE  TOAD  IN  THE    ROAD. 


A  S   Dickon  ran  out 
^^   Of  the  gate,  with  a   shout, 
He  saw  a  poor  toad 
In  the  midst  of  the  road  ; 
O!"  cries   Master   Dick, 
I'll  get  a  big  stick, 
And  kill  you  all  dead 
With  a  blow  on  the  head  ! " 
Naughty  boy!"  said  his  nurse, 
Why,   what  could   be  worse? 
He  is  having  some  fun, 
Sitting  there,  in   the  sun. 
What  harm   can   he  do 
T(j   me,  or  to   you  ? 


56       The  Toad  in  the  Road. 

And  then,  if  you  kill 
Him,  his  brothers  will  fill 
Your  room  in  the  night. 
And  you'll  have  a  fine  fright." 
"  Indeed,  I   don't  care !  " 
Said   Dick,  —  "  Yes,   but  hear, 
Ere  you  can  cry  stop ! 
On  your  bed  they  will  hop. 
And  they'll  sit  there  in  rows; 
Each,  to  wipe  his  poor   nose, 
Will  carry  a  leaf 
For  a  silk-handkerchief. 
There,  with  many  a  groan. 
They  will  weep  and  bemoan 


Their  poor  brother,  the  toad, 
You  killed  on  the   road ; 
And   there   they  will   stay 
Till  the  dawn  of  the  day. 


The  Toad  m  the  Road.       57 

And  all    night  they  will  keep 
You  from  having  sweet  sleep." 
Dick's  blue  eyes  flashed  bright, 
While  he  cried  with  delight,  — 
"  I'd  take  my  new  gun, 
And  shoot  every  one ; 
They'd  very  soon  see 
They  couldn't  scare  me." 
The  toad,  shocked  this  to  hear, 
Hopped  off  in  great  fear, 
And  told  all  his  folk 
That,  without  any  joke, 
A  monster,  called  boy. 
Meant  all  toads  to  destroy. 
So,  in  grief  and  dismay, 
That  very  same  day 
They  moved  over  the  hill. 
And  are  living  there  still. 


i'lll:ii;'l;|i|H 


RAIN,   RAIN. 


R 


A  IN,  rain, 
Here  again, 
Rattling  on  the  window-pane. 


Please  to  stop ; 
Every  drop 
Helps  to  make  more  mud  and  slop. 


Here  we  stay 
All  the  day 
In  the  house,  and  try  to  play. 


Rain,  Raiji,  59 

When  you're  done, 
We  can  run 
Out  of  doors,  and  have  some  fun. 


THE  HEN  AND  THE  DOCTORS. 

/^LUCK,  cluck,  cluck! 

^^    In  my  throat  a  worm  has  stuck. 

Mrs.  Speckle,  my  clear  friend, 

For  a  doctor  you  must  send. 

But  don't  send  for  Dr.  Goose, 

His  wife  has  given  me  much  abuse; 

Nor  yet  for  Dr.  Drake, 

His  doses  who  can  take  ? 

And  as  for  Dr.  Turkey, 

He  's  so  noisy  and  so  jerky, 

He  puts  me  in  a  flutter 

With  his  boasting  and  his  splutter. 

Did  you  say  have  Dr.  Dove  ? 

No,  he  s  a  fop,  and  talks  of  love ; 

And  I  won't  have   Dr.  Crane, 

He  has  much  more  legs  than  brain  ; 

Nor  that  hooknosed  Dr.  Owl, 

Who  is  blind  as  any  mole  ; 

Nor  solemn   Dr.   Raven, 

Dressed  in  black,  and  so  clean  shaven  ; 


The  Hen  and  the  Doctors.     6i 

Nor  that  horrid  Dr.  Crow, 

Quite  a  vagabond,  you  know! 

They  say  he  eats  dead  horse, 

And  he  s  so  dirty  and  so  coarse ! 

I  think  that  Dr.  Swan 

Will  have  to  be  the  man, 

He  s  so  elegant  and  neat. 

And  orders  lime  and  fine  chopped  meat ; 

Then  he  always  tells  some  news, 

His  patients  to  amuse  ; 

We  shall  hear  the  latest  bit 

About  that  young  black  Spanish  chit, — 

Who  won't  hatch  the  eggs  she  lays, 

And  has  such  flirting,  heedless  ways : 

Dr.  Swan  shall  be  the  one, — 

And  tell   Red-top  he  must  run. 

I  feel  very  ill,  my  dear, 

And  shall  choke  to  death,  I  fear. 


POP  CORN. 

piP,  pop, 

Hip,  hop, 
Ti{),  top, 
Pop  corn ! 


Out  of  the  pan, 

Into  the  fire, 
Bursting  and  bouncing 

Higher  and  higher. 


Pop  Corn.  6'^ 


Out  of  the  fire, 
Over  the  hearth, 

With  burning  of  fingers, 
Scramblina^  and  mirth. 


'JD 


White  as  new  snow, 

Yellow  as  gold. 
You'd  better  be  patient 

Till   I   am  cold. 

Sprinkle  some  sugar. 
What  jolly  fun ! 

My  rhyme   is  ended. 
And   I   am  done. 


J 


THE  ANT  AND  THE  GRASSHOPPER. 

A     TINY  heap 

Of  corn,  to  keep 
Herself  from  want, 
A  little  ant, 
With  constant  toil 
And  care  and  moil, 
Had  gathered  for 
Her  winter  store. 

The  winter  came, 

And  to  his  shame, 

A  grasshopper 

Who  scarce  could  stir, 

But  crept,  as  if 

His  knees  were  stiff, — 

In  tone  forlorn, 

Asked  her  for  corn. 


The  Ant  and  the  Grasshopper.  65 


"  Alas  !  "  cried  she, 
"  And  can  this  be  ? 
That  with  such  leo;s 
He  comes  and  begs 
Of  one  so  small  ? 
O!  idler  tall, 
Do  you  forget 
How  once  we  met 

"  One  summer's  day, 
When  you  with  gay 
Companions  jeered 
As  I  appeared. 
And  mocked  me  for 
The  load   I  bore,  — 
Calling  me  drudge. 
Bidding^  me  trud2:c  ? 


"  The  days  were  lone, 
And  you  were  strong 
You  did  not  need 
To  do,  indeed. 
Such  work  as   I,  — 
To  soon  lay  by 
Both  corn  and  seed 
On  which  to  feed." 
5 


66   The  Ant  and  the  Grasshopper 

The  grasshopper 
Thus  answered  her: 
"  'Tis  very  true,  — 
But  cannot  you 
Now,  that  I  'm  poor, 
And  at  your  door 
Stand  stiff  and  old 
And  starved  and  cold, 

"  Be  kind  and  good, 

And  give  me  food?" 
"  Friend,"  said  the  ant, 
"  I  will  not  taunt 

Nor  scorn  you,  though 

You  served  me  so. 

Take,  then,  and  eat, 

For  life  is  sweet." 


MAMMA'S  SHIP. 

A/TAMMA,  I  wish  that  I  could  have 

A  Httle  pony,  fleet  and  gay, 
Like  that  that  Uncle  Robert  gave 
To  Cousin  John  the  other  day. 

"  O,  such  a  tail !     I  'm  sure,  mamma, 
That  you  would  be  delighted  too ; 
I  'm  sure  you'd  say  you  never  saw 
A  pony  prance  as  he  can  do. 

"And   I  can  ride  him!  yes   I  can! 

I  rode  him   up  and  down  the  lane; 
And   Uncle   Robert  said  the  man 

Might  let   me  mount  him  soon  again! 

"  He  cut  some  capers,  but   I  sat 
As  fast  as  any  monkey  could ; 
And  then  he  stood,  and  let  mc  pat 
His  neck,  and  was  so  very  good! 


68  Mammas  Ship. 

"  All  that  was  very  nice,  mamma, 
But  then,  a  pony  of  my  own ! 
Do  you  think,  if  I  asked  papa. 

That  he  would  bring  me  one  from  town  ?  " 

"  A  pony  costs  too  much,    I  fear. 

For  dear  papa  to  bring  you  home ; 
So  you  must  be  content,  my  djsar, 
On  two  stout  legs  to  go  and  come. 

"  Or  wait  until  my  ship  from  sea 

Comes  in  with  many  a  goodly  thing; 
Who  knows  but  that  for  you  and  me, 
A  pony  too,  my  ship  may  bring." 

•  •  •  •  ,  • 

On  the  gray  shore  a  golden  head 

Watched,  from  the  seaward  distance  clear, 

The  ships  that  through  the  bay  up  sped. 
To  reach  the  city  lying  near. 

At  last  he  sought  his  mother's  knee, — 
"  Ah  !  dear  mamma,  when  will  it  come, 

Your  ship  from  lands  beyond  the  sea, 
You  hope  will  bring  my  pony  home } 

"  I  've  watched  and  waited  every  day ; 
So  many  ships  went  sailing  past, — 


MajJimas  Skip.  69 

So  many  ships  sailed  up  the  bay, — 

I  thought  that  yours  must  come  at  last." 

With  tender  love  his  mother  bent, 
The  wistful,  rosy  face  close  drew, — 
"  My  darling  boy,   I  never  meant 

That  you  should  think  my  jest  was  true ! 

"  My  ship  ?     That  means  a  fortune,  dear,  — 
A  fortune  we  may  ne'er  possess ; 
But  that  need  never  cost  a  tear, — 
Wealth  cannot  bring  us  happiness. 

"  The  very  butterfly  that  wings 

From  flower  to  flower  the  livelong  day, — 
The  little  bird  that  joyful  sings, 

Darting  from  swinging  spray  to  spray, 

"  No  happier  days  can  know,  dear  child. 
Than  you  within  this  pretty  nest 
Of  home,  where  love  and  guidance  mild 
Surround  your  days,  and  guard  your  rest. 

"  How  many  a  homeless  little  one 

Knows  nothing  of  kind  looks  and   words, 
Nor  ever  plays  beneath  the  sun, 

'Mid  trees  and  flowers  and  happy  birds. 


70  Mammas  Ship. 

"  Then  let  the  ships  sail  past  our  shore ; 
So  rich  are  we  in  love  and  health 
And  comfort,  we  will  ask  no  more : 
Content  is  better  far  than  wealth." 


D 


DICKON'S  BOAT. 

ICKON  has  a  boat 
That  will  sail,  that  will  sail; 
Dickon  has  a  boat,  yo,  ho ! 
And  lightly  she  will  float 
In  the  gale,  in  the  gale,  — 
Lightly  she  will  float,  yo,  ho ! 

O,   her  sides  they  are  made  of  the   good    pine 
wood, 
And  her  sail's  of  the  white  linen  fine ; 
She  broadens  at  the  beam  as  a  good  ship  should, 
And  narrows  at  the  prow  to  a  line. 
Away  o'er  the  seas 
We  will  glide,  we  will  glide ; 
Away  o'er  the  seas,  yo,  ho! 

Borne  swiftly  by  the  breeze 
And  the  tide,  and  the  tide, — 
Borne  swiftly  by  the  breeze,  yo,  ho! 


72  Dickons  Boat. 

O,  she  courtesies  and  dips  as  she  daintily  skims 

O'er  the  wave,  like  a  girl  at  a  ball. 
She  's  as  full  of  caprices,  and  fancies,  and  whims, 
As  the  sauciest  flirt  of  them  all. 
Away  o'er  the  seas 
We  will  glide,  we  will  glide; 
Away  o'er  the  seas,  yo,  ho  ! 

Borne  swiftly  by  the  breeze 
And  the  tide,  and  the  tide, — 
Borne  swiftly  by  the  breeze,  yo,  ho ! 

O,  her  helm  it  is  true  to  the  steersman's  hand, 

And  the  foam  rises  white  in  her  track. 
As  she  bounds  to  discover  some  golden  land, 
And  bring  all  its  bright  treasures  back. 
Dickon  has  a  boat 
That  will  sail,  that  will  sail ; 
Dickon  has  a  boat,  yo,  ho ! 
And  lightly  she  will  float 
In  the  gale,  in  the  gale, — 
Lightly  she  will  float,  yo,  ho ! 


TWIT,  TWIT. 

^WIT,  twit, 
■^   The  bonny  birds  flit 
Hither  and  yon ; 

Twit,  twit, 
And  soon  will  be  gone 
To  sleep  in  the  nest 
That  each  loves  best. 
Twit,  twit. 


Twit,  twit. 

The  bonny  birds  flit 
Each  to  its  home ; 
Twit,  twit, 


74  Twit,   Twit 

And  my  darling  will  come, 
And  on  mother's  breast 
Sink  sweetly  to  rest. 
Twit,  twit. 


THE  WINDS. 

'  I  "HE  wind  blows  high, 
"^     The  wind  blows  low, 
Hither  and  thither. 

To  and  fro. 
My  cradle  low  hanging 

From  the  broad  branching  tree, 
The  wild  winds  rock  softly 

For  baby  and  me. 

The  wind  blows  east, 

The  wind  blows  west, 
Hither  and  thither, — 

Knows  no  rest. 
See  the  fishermen  casting 

Their  nets  in  the  sea; 
They'll   fill   full  of  silver 

For  baby  and  me. 


"J  6  The   Winds. 

The  wind  blows  south, 

The   wind  blows  north, 
Hither  and   thither, 

Back  and  forth. 
O  winds,  send  my  fisherman 

Safe  from   the  sea! 
Bring  home  my  boy's  father 

To  baby  and  me. 


MY  BOY  STANNIE. 

f~\    HAVE  ye  seen  my  boy  Stannie  ? 
^-^'       Wee  toddlin'  mannie  ! 
His  ee  sae  blue,  his  cheek  sae  red, 
An  old  straw  hat  abonn  his  head, 
All  torn  and  tattered  ! 


O,  have  ye  seen  my  boy  Stannie  ? 

Wee  busy  mannie  ! 
Aye  trottin'  roun'  the  garden   lot, 


78  My  Boy  Stannie. 

Wi'  wheelbarrow,  spade,  and  watering-pot, 
All  bent  and  battered ! 

O,  have  ye  seen  my  boy  Stannie  ? 

Wee  winsome  mannie  ! 
Beneath  the  ruins  of  his  hat, 
His  honest  face  sae  dimplin'  fat, 

Aye  laughs  wi'  pleasure  ! 

O,  gin   I  find  my  boy  Stannie, 

Wee  hungry  mannie ! 
1 11  gi'  him  bread  and  milk  the  best. 
And  sing  him  saftly  to  his  rest, 

My  precious  treasure ! 


i-  ■^s^jjii'^&h 


VIOLETS. 

WIOLETS,  violets, 

*      Open  your  leaves ; 
The  sparrows  are  chirping 

Under  the  eaves. 
The  great  sun  shines  warm, 

The  sky  is  all  blue. 
My  sister  and   I 

Are  waiting  for  you, — 
So,  open  your  leaves  like  good  flowers,  do  ! 

Violets,  violets, 

Open  your  eyes, 
Do  you  not  hear 

The  bustle  and  noise 


8o  Violets. 

Of  the  little  nest-builders 

At  work  overhead  ? 
While  the  cuckoo  is  calling,  — 

Make  me,  too,  a  bed ! 
Yet  there  you  lie  sleeping  as  if  you  were  dead. 


CALLING  THE  TIDES, 

E 


I7VER  so  high, 


Up  in  the  sky, 
Broad  and  bright, 
Round  and  white, 
The  full  moon  rides. 

O'er  her  car 

Hangs  many  a  star; 
Cold  and  fair 
Sits  she  there. 
Calling  the  tides ! 

From  their  sleep 
The  wee  waves  leap. 
Rippling  run  — 
By  the  winds  spun, 
Their  foam  caps  wear. 

6 


82  Calli7ig  the  Tides, 

In  a  row 
On  they  flow, 
With  laughter  reach 
The  shining  beach, 
And  toss  them  there! 


I 


LITTLE   BROWN   BIRDS. 


A     LITTLIi  brown  bird  sat  on  a  high  tree, 
O,  the  wind  blew  softly  out  of  the  west ; 
Her  mate  near  by  sang  merrily, 

Four  speckled  eggs  were   in  her  wee  nest. 


84  Little  Brown  Birds, 

So  sweetly  he  sung,  so  shrilly  and  clear, 
O,  the  wind  blew  softly  out  of  the  west; 

His  love  sat  thrilling  with  joy  to  hear, 

While  her  eggs  lay  cradled  beneath  her  breast. 

The  great  sun  went  down  behind  the  blue  hill, 
O,  the  wind  blew  coldly  out  of  the  north  ; 

The  little  birds  song  was  hushed  and  still. 
The  bitter  black  frost  came  creeping  forth. 

Two  birds  lay  dead  in  the  chill,  gray  morn, 
O,  the  wind  blew  coldly  out  of  the  north  ; 

The  tiny  nest  hangs  on  the  tree  forlorn. 
Four  frozen  eggs  are  its  only  worth. 


THE  WAVE'S   GIFT. 

T^rAVE,  pretty  wave, 
^  *      Come  over  the  sea, 
And  bring  a  beautiful  gift  to  me." 


"O,  is  it  a  shell,      ■. 
Like  a  tiny  pink  bell. 
Or  a  flower  that  grew  in  a  mermaid's  cell  ? 

"  Or  pebbles  dyed, 
And  streaked  and  pied, 
I'll  fling  at  your  feet  in  the  coming  tide.?" 

"  No,  none  of  these. 
But,  if  you   will   please, 
A  boat  with  white  sails  to  catch  the  breeze. 

"  Round   the  world    I'll   go. 
While  you  ebb  and  flow, 
And    come    back    before    I'm    found    out,  you 
know." 


FEEDING  THE  COW. 

Q  LOWLY  along  the  shaded  lane, 

Cropping  the  grass  from  side  to  side. 
Here  comes  the  pretty  brindle  cow 
Home,  in  the  even- tide. 

She  stops  at  the  garden  gate  and  calls,  — 
"  O  run,  little  boy,  and  bring  to  me 

Some  of  those  apples  round  and  ripe 
I  see  lying  under  the  tree." 

Little  golden  head  his  apron  fills 

With  the  ruddy  apples  juicy  and  sweet; 

^rindle  loves  to  take  with  her  Ions:  rough 
tongue 
From  his  dimpled  hand  and  eat. 

Tiptoe  he  stands  with  eager  face 
Holding  his  bulging  apron  tight; 

As  she  gently  takes  each  apple  he  gives 
He  lauQ^hs  with   fresh  delio-ht. 


Feeding  the  Cow,  87 

And  now  she  has  eaten  the  very  la§t, 

And  "  Just  one  more  "  and  "  One  little  one 
more ;  " 

Then  he  waits  and  watches  her  as  she  walks 
Through  the  open  barnyard  door. 

It  was  years  ago  —  yet  oft  I  see, 

When  the  summer's  day  is  nearly  done, 

My  baby  boy  feeding  the  pretty  cow 
In  the  light  of  the  setting  sun. 


GRANDMAMMA'S    BIRTHDAY. 

"\"\ /"E  must  gather  a  bouquet 

^^    For  dear  Grandnia  on  her  birthday: 
First  we'll  cut  some  half-blown  roses, 
They're  the  grace  of  all  sweet  posies; 
Some  sprigs  of  purple  heliotrope 
Place  next ;  they  mean,  "  I  live  in  hope ;  " 
Then  bring  some  woodbine,  whose  perfume 
Will  fill  with  fragrance  all  the  room  ; 
Pluck  me  some  pansies,  touched  with  dew ; 
They  say,  "  I  fondly  think  of  you  ;  " 
Some  lady-slippers,  pink  and  white. 
Dropped  from  fairy  feet  last  night; 
Verbena  must  not  be  forgot. 
And  there  's  some  blue  forget-me-not; 
Geranium  leaves  to  finish  find, 
And  ribbon  round  the  stems  to  wind  : 
We'll  see  what  Grandmamma  will  say 
To  this  bouquet  for  her  birthday. 


RUMBLE  GRUMBLE. 

/^^  AFFER  Rumble  Grumble  lived  in  a  hill, 
^-^     A  stout  old  troll  was  he ; 
His  temper  was  fierce,  his  voice  was  shrill ; 
With  scolding  and  fretting  he  never  was  still, 
Nor  with  any  one  could  agree. 

He  wore  a  red  coat  and  a  pointed  hat, 

A  waistcoat  of  yellow  sheen ; 
His  chin  was  long,  and  his  nose  was  flat, 
His  beard  was  tangled  and  rough  like  a  mat, 

And  his  eyes  were  a  delicate  green. 

A  nephew  he  had,  a  naughty  elf, 

In  mischief  both  night  and  day: 
Cake  and  custard  he  stole  from  the  pantry  shelf, 
He  ran  off  with  cheese  and  sold  it  for  pelf, 

And   many  a  prank  dirl   play. 

At  last  the  old  trf)ll  went  to  the  careen  wood 
And  cut  him  a  stout   long  stick, 


go  Rumble  Gru7nble, 

And  told  the  young  scamp  he  really  should 
Give  him  a  beating  as  sure  as  he  stood, 
If  he  caught  him  in  one  more  trick. 

Now  Rumble  Grumble  was  fond  of  snuff, 

And  he  kept  a  gold  box  of  rappee; 
This  wickedest  imp  put  in   pepper  enough 
To  kill  any  one  not  quite  so  tough, 
Then  hid,  the  effect  to  see. 

The    old    troll    took    a    pinch    and    began    to 
sneeze,  — 
How  he  coughed  and  spluttered  and  cried ! 
Then  stamped  and  raved  till  he  made  the  blood 

freeze 
Of  the  hill-folk,  who  into  far  corners  did  squeeze 
Not  knowing  what  might  betide. 

His  nephew  thought  he  had  best  depart, 

For  his  time  had  surely  come ; 
From  the  hill- side  door  with  a  careless  heart 
In  the  shape  of  a  cat  he  made  his  start 

To  seek  for  another  home. 

Away  he  went  through  wood  and  o'er  moor, 

Till  he  came  to  a  farmer's  bound. 
When  in  he  walked  at  the  farm-house  door. 


Rttinble  Gfttmble.  91 

Such  a  beautiful  cat  had  never  before 
In  that  country  side  been  found. 


And  there  he  lived  for  many  a  year, 

In  comfort  and  great  content ; 
On  milk  and  porridge  he  made  good  cheer, 
He  slept  on  a  cushion,  and  had  no  fear 

Of  any  who  came  or  went. 

The  good  man,  whose  name  was  Plat,  oft  rode 

Away  to  the  country  fair; 
One  day  he  came  back,  and  quickly  strode 
Into  the  kitchen  of  his  abode 

Where  the  cat  lay  asleep  on  a  chair. 

The  house  dame  quietly  spinning  sat; 

"  Hark  ye,  good  wife,"  he  said, 
"  I've  just  met  a  troll,  who  bawled,  '  Friend  Plat, 
Go  home  in  all  haste  and  tell  your  cat 

That  Rumble  Grumble  is  dead.' " 

Down  jumped  the  cat,  and  stood  up  straight 

As  any  Christian  man, — 
"  Rumble  Grumble  dead  ?     Tlien   I   can't  wait. 
But  off  to  the  hill-side,  as  sure  as  fate, 

I  shall  go  as  fast  as  I  can !  " 


92  Rumble  Grumble. 

Away  he  scampered  across  the  floor, 

While  the  farm-folk  stared  in  amaze ; 
Whisked  like  a  flash   through  the  open  door, 
And  they   saw  their  beautiful   cat  no  more 
From  that  time  to  the  end   of  their  days. 


FAIRY  DELL. 

T^OWN  in  the  fairy  dell 
"^^^    The  lily  bells  are  ringing, 
Around  its  mossy  well 

The  little  elves  are  singing. 

Then  breaking  off  in  bands, 
They  trip  a  dainty  measure, 

Clapping  their  tiny  hands, 
Laughing   for  very  pleasure. 

Now  playing  hide-and-seek 
Among  the  happy  flowers. 

Shaking  the   harebells  meek 
Till  dew-droiDs  fall   in  showers. 

Then   floating  through   the  air, 
A-down   the   moonbeams  sliding, 

To  race  they  gayly  dare, 

Their  comrades   still   a-hidinir. 


94  Fairy  DcIL 

With  shrill  and  chirping  cries 
The  stupid  beetles  bridle, 

Or  scold  the  fireflies 

If  they  crotch  them  lying  idle. 

With  saucy  finger  tip 

The  rose's  heart  discover, 

Or  fragrant  honey  sip 

From  cups  of  purple  clover. 

At  last,  the  farmyard  cock 

Crows   loud   across   the  meadows; 

Away  they  blithely  flock 

With  the  departing  shadows. 

Down  in  the  fairy  dell 
The  silent  sun   is  lying; 

Around  its  mossy  well 

The  lonely  flowers  are  sighing. 

Never,  ah,  never  more, 

With  pretty  sports  and  laughter, 
Come  fairies  as  before. 

Nor  will  they  come  hereafter. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 

Los  Angeles 

This  book  is  DUE  on  the  last  date  stamped  below. 


JAN    3  195^ 

SEP  2  6  1963 


Form  L9-42ni-8,'49(B5573)444 


5110       Little-folk 
J4r..'58      sonp;s 


UC  SOUTHERN  REGIONAL  LIBRARY  FACILITY 


AA    000  416  437    2 


